A car in the driveway

When we got home from speech today, Kelly's car was in the car port. Karissa said, "Why is dad home?"  I replied, "I don't know."  But I did.

Not that I knew specifically why, but I knew in the abstract.  He had test results and they were something he couldn't tell me over the phone. Okay, this cannot be good.

But let us start with the good anyway.  From the collar bones down, I am fine. No hot spots, not metastasis. No worries or spread.  The spot he biopsied is so tiny as he doesn't really even feel like it needs treating.

So, the issue?  Two hot spots in my larynx. One at the top, one at the bottom.  They weren't there four months ago.  That is a fast appearance.

The surgical option would be to remove my larynx. That would mean a permanent trach tube and likely no speaking of any kind. Not the best option since I already had my tongue removed.

The next option is pin point radiation on those spots with some chemo in the mix.  Fortunately, because it is so early, they are very small, apparently "two centimeters." That seems large to me, but I guess there is more space in your larynx than in your tongue.

Maybe this little spot that turned out to be barely anything was the red flag that caused the PET scan and maybe saved me.

We would like another opinion on the scans, although I have to say I have more trust and confidence in Dr. Andersen than I have had in any other doctor. While I am not excited by the news, it is far from the worst we could have heard.

I can have chemo and radiation here in Eugene, in consultation with Dr. Andersen. That is also good news.

All of you who offered meals and help the last go around and felt left out, take heart. I remember what radiation was like.  This should not be quite as rugged as it won't be as extensive, but radiation is radiation. I've never had chemo, but I'm guessing it is no walk in the park, either.  When we have the timing down, I know we will be looking for people to bring over food or help out.

Here is to hoping the third time is the charm and I will be done with this for good.

Questions? Comments?